House fires are always dangerous, but recent research released from the Electrical Safety Council has highlighted just how many fires are caused by problems in and misuse of domestic electrical appliances. Misuse of electrical items is now the leading cause of all house fires in the UK. Unfortunately, many tenants and landlords are completely unaware of the problems that significantly increase the risk of a fire breaking out.
What NOT to do with electrical appliances
- Don’t block air vents behind fridges and freezers – clean vents regularly to avoid a build up of dust and debris
- Avoid overloading sockets – always make sure your properties have enough sockets per room and check that tenants are not plugging in multiple extension leads
- Remind tenants not to leave electrical appliances such as tumble driers running unattended for long periods of time
- Do not cover microwave vents
- Do not use cheap or second hand electrical appliances without BS safety ratings
How prevalent are electrical house fires?
Although the incidence of house fires has declined in the last three years, the number of electrical fires has increased by 33%, mostly as a result of the ever-increasing numbers of electrical appliances we keep in our homes.
How to reduce the risk of electrical fires
Ensure that there is a Residual Current Device (RCD) in the property’s fuse box (this cuts off power should a fault occur)—research has indicated that only around 50% of properties have this vital safety cut-off switch. You should also warn your tenants about the risks posed by misuse of electrical appliances.
